Washington was offered an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD) back in August, meaning that if he was not accused of any crimes in the next six months his case would be dismissed. An ACD is a method of dismissing criminal charges used in misdemeanor cases. According to New York law, “The granting of an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal shall not be deemed to be a conviction or an admission of guilt.”

Being part of a team that represents the University is a privilege that must be earned by good performance and conduct inside and outside of the field. I hope the University follows up cases like these by at least kicking them out of the teams.

I started to write out a verbal lashing. Then, I realized that your comment isn't dignified enough to warrant a response. Suffice it to say that you should go fuck yourself. The 'joke' was in poor taste.

This is bullshit. As a athlete (probably on a scholarship) he represents the University. Intolerance and racism shouldn't be a part of that. Not to mention how thuggish it is to attack someone unprovoked in the first place. He should be suspended, from school or at least the football team. Community service is not a consequence.

You seem to be conflating the state criminal justice system with internal school discipline. Whether the judicial system's handling of this charge is "bullshit" is a separate inquiry from whether or not he was suspended.

don't be foolish. everyone has decried this as a hate crime from the beginning. your comment only reveals an ugly desire within you to negatively characterize an entire race. which, you know, is also racist.

As someone who knows a couple people who have also gone through the NYC legal system, an ACD, especially with 10 days of community service, is less of a "we found that you did nothing wrong" and more of a "we don't want to spend resources fighting to put you in jail." Basically, if you have no prior convictions or you're rich, you get let off with a warning.

Two cases:Person #1 - caught shoplifting with marijuana in his pocket. Result: ACD, no community service.

Person #2 - caught making graffiti. Result: ACD, 2 days of community service.

In both of these situations, it was clear that they were guilty of what they were charged with doing.

Also, it is *not* common to see 10 days of community service, the average is around 1 or 2. Each day is 8 hours. Chad Washington was required to do 80 hours of community service or have his case reopened - this is not a sign of his innocence.